Fireplace heater



J ne 6, 1939. .1. E. RUTLAND FIREPLACE HEATER Filed July 29, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l Q M m Patented June 6, 1939 PATENT OFFICE FIREPLACE HEATER Jesse Eugene Butland, Lenox, Ga. assignor of one-half to Jesse B. Boyett, Nashville, Ga.

Application July 29, 1938, Serial No. 222,021

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a heating device and more particularly to a hot air heating unit which is insertible in the present construction of a fireplace.

An object of this invention is to provide a heater structure which may be readily inserted in the opening of a fireplace and which is so constructed that the unit will readily support the fuel which is burned in the fireplace and the heat generated thereby will heat air disposed in the jacket of the unit, said air then being discharged at the front and upper portion of the fireplace by means of the higher pressure of heavier cold air outside the unit.

Another object of this invention is to provide an insertible unit of this kind wherein the several parts of the units may be cast out of metal such as iron or the like and bolted or otherwise secured together, the several parts being formed in jacket or hollow form so that air may freely flow therethrough [or discharge into the room containing the fireplace.

A further object of this invention is to provide a unit of this kind which is adapted to receive air from outside of the building for heating of the air and discharging of the heated air into the room containing the fireplace.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a unit of this kind wherein the flow of air to the unit is automatically cut off when the unit is not in operation so that the cold air from the outside of the building willnot flow through the jacket into the room when the fireplace is not burning fuel.

To the foregoing objects and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein an embodiment of the invention is shown, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications 'may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail front elevation of a device constructed according to an embodiment of this invention mounted in a fireplace opening, the fireplace being shown in fragmentary form,

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a detail top plan of the unit,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a sectional view partly in top plan taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1, and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view partly in section of the unit. I

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l designates generally a fireplace having a rear wall H, a throat l2 and an outlet flue [3. The fireplace IB is provided with the usual opening I4 in the front wall l5 thereof. In order to provide a means whereby the fuel burned in the fireplace 10 I0 may be used for the heating of fresh air drawn from the outside of the building for discharge in a heated condition in the room containing the fireplace, I have provided a heating unit which comprises a grate structure generally designated as IS, a rear wall structure IT, a throat structure l8 and a discharge manifold Hi. The grate structure l5 comprises an intake manifold extending transversely across the opening ll of the fireplace and this manifold 20 is adapted to have 20 an intake pipe 2| secured thereto. The pipe 2! is adapted to be extended to a point outside of the building so that fresh air may freely enter the duct or pipe 2|. A damper or valve 22 is disposed in the pipe 2| at a suitable point so that, as hereinafter described, the flow of fresh or cold air to the unit may be properly regulated. The manifold 20 is adapted to be cast out of metal such as cast iron and is substantially rectangular in configuration being constructed in the form of a rectangular box and extends substantially across the entire width of the opening H.

A plurality of tubular grate bars 23 are cast integrally with the manifold 20and these grate bars 23 extend inwardly toward the back wall ll of the fireplace. The grate bars 23 are spaced apart a suflicient distance so that the proper draft may be provided from below for the fuel which is engaging upon the grate bars 23 and in the present instance these grate bars 23 are also substantially rectangular in transverse section. The grate bars 23 are connected to the inner wall 24 of the manifold 20 at a point downwardly from the upper end thereof so that a considerable portion of the manifold 20 will project above the top of the grate bars 23 and: thus provide a rail or front wall for keeping the fuel from dropping forwardly onto the hearth.

The rear or inner ends of the grate bars 23 are connected to and preferably cast integrally with a rear manifold 25 which extends longitudinally and horizontally across the back wall ll of the fireplace. This manifold 25 is preferably cut off on an angle to the horizontal so that the lower wall 26 thereof is relatively longer tom wall 26 and provides a means for securing the rear wall structure l1 to the manifold 25. I

The rear wall or jacket i1 comprises a rear vertical wall 29 and a front wall 26 whlch is spaced from the rear wall 29 and these two walls are connected together at their opposite vertical edges by a vertical wall II. The lower end of the front wall 3| is provided with a forwardly projecting flange 32 which is adapted to rest on top of the upper wall 21 of the rear manifold 24 and the back wall 29 is provided with a flange I2 engageable against the flange 24 so that these two flanges may be bolted, riveted or otherwise securely fastened together. I

A plurality of upper heater tubes are positioned in substantially the throat or upper portion of the fireplace I6 and extend forwardly and upwardly of the rear jacket II on substantially an angle of twenty degrees. These heater tubes 34 are preferably formed of cast iron and in the present instance are substantially rectangular in transverse section and their inner ends are secured to or integrally cast with a rear plate I. The rear plate I! is adapted to be secured to the rear jacket H by. means of a plurality of rivets, bolts or other fastening devices 26. The rear plate 86 is disposed on an angle to the vertical and the front wall 24 of the rear jacket I1 is preferably shorter in length than the rear wall 29 as shown in Figures 4 and 6. The front wall 26 at its upper end is preferably provided with an enlarged upper end portion 21 through which bolts or screws or other fastening members may be extended and in like manner the upper end of the rear wall 26 is provided with an enlarged portion 36 which has an inclined forward face disposed in the same plane as the plane of the forward face of the enlarged portion 21.

The front ends of the heater tubes 64 are secured or integrally cast with a front or upper plate member 39 and this plate member 36 is secured as by fastening devices 44 to the lower inside face portion of the discharge manifold II. The discharge manifold I6 is provided with intake openings 4! in the rear wall 42 thereof adjacent thelower end of the rear wall 42 and the front wall of the manifold I! has a perforate member in the form of a grille 46 secured thereto. The grille 48 engages in a substantially rectangular frame 44 which is carried by forwardly extending flanges or walls 45 integral with the rear wall 42. The grille 43 may be secured by means of fastening members 46 engaging through the frame member 44.

A pair of andirons 41 are secured to the rear wall 24 of the intake manifold 26 and extend upwardly therefrom for the desired distance so as to not only give a pleasing appearance to the structure, but also to hold logs or other fuel from spilling out over the manifold 26.

The entire unit herein described is preferably supported in upwardly spaced relation to the floor 46'of the fireplace by means of a plurality of legs 4!. These legs 49 may be constructed in two parts with an upper part 50 thereof bolted or otherwise fastened to the grate structure 22 and an extensible or lower leg part 5! provided with an elongated slot 62 through which a bolt 63 engages. In this manner the length of the leg 44 may be adjusted to provide the desired draft beneath the grate 23 and also to permit an ash pan 1 54 to be inserted beneath the grate 23.

ture It, the jacket l1 and the heater tubes it are held in assembled condition by the fastening devices hereinbefore described and are also held in assembled condition. by a pair of bracing bars 55 which are disposed adjacent each end thereof. The bracing bars 56 are substantially arcuate in configuration, one end of each bar terminating forwardly of the rear end of an end grate bar 23 and being provided with an. enlargement or boss 50 through which a fastening member 61 engages. The intermediate portion of the arcuate brace member 66 contacts for the forward wall of the rear jacket i1 at a point upwardly from the lower end thereof and at the point of contact the bracing member 6! is secured to "the forward wall ll by a fastening member 54.

Theupper end of the bracing member also has an enlarged portion is through which a fastening 7 member 64 engages for securing the upper end of the bracing member 66 to an end heater tube 34. A lower bracing member II is carried by the arcuatebrace I6 and extends downwardly and rearwardly forcontact with the upper side of the flange 32 at the lower end of the front wall 30. I

Thisbrace 4i maybesecuredtotheflange "by a fastening member 62 which may also be used to secure the flange 22 to the top wall 21. An upper bracing member 63 is secured to or formed integral with the brace 66 and extends upwardly and rearwardly thereof for engagement with the plate 34 and the upper end of the brace may be secured to the plate 25 by one of the fastening members 26 which fasten the plate 35 to the jacket l1.

A damper .12 is mounted on a shaft 14 extending through the intake pipe- 2i and a crank or arm 15 is secured at one end of the shaft 14. The crank 16 isconnected to a second crank 16 by meanso'falink". The crank16issecuredtoa shaft 16 which has a bimetallic thermostatic member 19 fixed thereto so that rotation of the shaft 16 under the action of the thermostatic member 14 will effect opening of the valve or damper 13. A crank handle 66 is secured to the opposite end of the shaft 14 and has a pin II in slidability therethrough which is adapted to engage underneath a lug or stop member 62 fixed to the pipe 2| so that if desired the valve member." may be manually closed against the action of the thermostatic member 19 and held in this closed position.

The valve member 22 is normally biased to an open position by means of a spring 69 which has one end thereof secured to an arm 61 carried by the damper or valve 22 and the other end of the spring 69 is connected to a bracket 16 fastened to the pipe 2| or any other suitable stationary part. A bracket member 66 is fixed to the pipe 2i and a valve closing member 66 in the form of a solenoid is connected to the arm 61 and operates to close the grate or valve 22 when a pre-determined degree of heat has been provided in the room in which the fireplace is positioned. The solenoid 66 is connected to a thermostat 64 by meansof conductors 66 and in this manner the air passing through the intake pipe 2| into the intake manifold 26 can be suitably controlled depending not only upon the temperature of the manifold 26 but also upon the temperature of the air in the room in which the fireplace is positioned.

In the use and operation of this unit the several parts thereof are initially assembled of a depth and width suitable to engage with the opening i4 of the fireplace and to substantially upper end fill all of the opening in the fireplace. The various connections between the members comprising this unit will be made air tight so that no air will leak out of the several joints and so that when the air in the hollow spaces provided in the unit has been heated such heated air will rise and be discharged through the grille 43 and form a suction by means of which cool air is drawn in through the normally open intake pipe 2|. As the unit becomes heated, the bimetallic thermostat 19 will gradually open the valve member. 13 so as to admit cool air entering from the intake pipe 2! into the intake manifold 20. During the time that the fireplace is not in use the thermostat I! will normally close the valve or damper 13 so that no cool air can flow into the intake pipe 2|, the manifold 20, and the hollow circuit forming the unit, and then out through the grille 43.

However, when fuel, either coal, wood, or the like, is burned on the grate member It, the heat from the fuel will not only heat up the grate bars 23 so as to heat the incoming air which enters the grate bar 23 through the manifold 20, but will also heat up the rear jacket I! and the heater tubes 34. At the same time, the intake manifold 20 will be heated and this heat will be communicated to the bimetallic thermostat 19 so that the valve member I! will gradually swing to an open position. After the unit has been in operation for a period of time, in the event the temperature of theair in the room becomes excessive or exceeds a pre-determined degree, the thermostat 64 will become effective so as to close the circuit through the conductors 65 to the damper closing solenoid 86. The circuit will remain closed to the solenoid 6! until the temperature in the room has dropped to a predetermined degree whereupon the spring 9 will swing the damper or valve 22 to an open position. At this time, the circuit to the solenoid it will be broken so that the spring 59 may freely swing the damper 22 to an open position.

This device may, in the main, be cast of iron being formed of four main pieces comprising the grate member IS, the rear jacket II, the upper heating member II, and the discharge manifold it. These parts are preferably made of cast iron or like material so that they may be made at a relatively small cost and so that the several parts of the device will readily stand up under the heat generated on the grate structure It.

What I claim is:

1. An air heater insertible in a fireplace opening comprising a grate member including an intake manifold extending horizontally across the opening, a plurality of tubular grate bars integral with said manifold, and a rear manifold integral with said bars, a jacketed rear wall rising from said rear manifold, a plurality of heater tubes extending forwardly and upwardly of said rear wall, a rear plate integral with the rear ends of said heater tubes, means securing said plate to the of said rear wall, a front plate integral with said heater tubes. a discharge manifold, meanssecuring saiddischargemanifoldtosaid front plate, and a perforate wall carried by said discharge manifold.

2. An air heater insertible in a fireplace opening comprising a plurality of tubular grate bars disposed in spaced apart parallel relation, a front intake manifold integral with said bars and extending transversely of said bars, said manifold rising from the front ends of said bars, a rear manifold integral with said grate bars having an open rear portion, a hollow rear wall extending upwardly from said rear manifold, means securing said rear wall to said rear manifold about the opening thereof, a plurality of upwardly and forwardly inclined heater tubes, a pair of plates integral with the ends of said tubes and maintaining said tubes in spaced apart parallel relation, said plates being disposed in parallel relation and on an oblique angle to the length of said tubes, means securing one of said plates to the upper end of said rear wall, a discharge manifold engaging the other of said plates and extending upwardly therefrom, means securing said discharge manifold to said other plate, and a grille carried by the front wall of said discharge manifold.

3. An air heater insertible in a fireplace opening comprising a plurality of tubular grate bars disposed in spaced apart parallel relation, a front intake manifold integral with said bars and extending transversely of said bars, said manifold rising from the front ends of said bars, a rear manifold integral with said grate bars having an open rear portion, a hollow rear wall extending upwardly from said rear manifold, means securing said rear wall to said rear manifold about the opening thereof, aplurality of upwardly and forwardly inclined heater tubes, a pair of plates integral with the ends of said tubes and maintaining said tubes in spaced apart parallel relation, said plates being disposed in parallel relation and on an oblique angle to the length of said tubes, means securing one of said plates to the upper end of said rear wali,a discharge manifold engaging the other of said plates and extending upwardly therefrom, means securing said discharge manifold to said other plate, a grille carried by the front wall of said discharge manifold, an intake pipe connected to said intake manifold, a damper structure having a part thereof within and normally tending to open said pipe, and means for automatically shifting said damper structure to closing relation with respect to said intake pipe on the non-combusting of fuel in the fireplace.

4. A fireplace heating unit comprising a substantially U-shaped jacketed member insertible in a fireplace opening, the bight of said member engaging the back wall of the fireplace, the legs of said member extending forwardly with one leg constituting a grate, a discharge manifold carried by the other leg, an intake pipe connected to said grate, and means for automatically closing said intake pipe in the-non-combusting of fuel in the fireplace.

JESSE EUGENE RUTLAND. 

